Thomas & Lynn Watson

Rear Admiral Thomas Campbell Watson Jr., USN

Age 93 • Fleming Island, FL

Lynn Lofberg Watson

Age 87 • Fleming Island, FL

Joined in marriage for 65 years, Tom and Lynn Watson are now reunited in God’s kingdom. Throughout Tom’s 28-year Navy career, Lynn often was waiting with their family when his squadron or ship pulled into its next port or duty station. Again, she has paved the way, arriving at their ultimate destination April 20, 2024, just months before Tom’s final touchdown, Nov. 1.

Thomas Watson Jr. entered the world Feb. 19, 1931 and grew up in Pensacola, FL., the son of banker Thomas, Sr. and Lucie Yonge Watson. After attending Marion Military Institute and The Citadel, he was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1954 and designated a Naval Aviator 17 months later. Lynn was born July 12, 1936 in Santa Clara, CA., the daughter of Navy Captain Gus and Norma Costella Lofberg. She attended local Catholic schools and Dominican College before her graduation from University of California-Berkeley in 1958.

Tom and Lynn met in the Bay area, where he was serving as a junior officer and Naval Aviator at NAS Alameda and she was completing her political science degree at University of CA.-Berkeley. After their wedding in June 1959, they embarked on an exciting and patriotic life of military service, family-building, community involvement, and travel.

Tom’s Navy career took him across the globe as he logged more than 4900 pilot hours and 890 carrier landings in no fewer than 18 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. He was selected to command Attack Squadron 81, Attack Carrier Air Wing 9, Light Attack Wing 1, the fleet oiler USS Truckee, and aircraft carrier USS Independence. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, seven Air Medals and a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for 75 combat missions in three deployments to the Vietnam War. After being selected for flag rank, Tom culminated his naval service with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1982.

While he was defending the nation, Lynn served as the consummate Navy wife, managing the household and raising their three children, even as the family moving close to 30 times during Tom’s career. Even so, she found time to earn her real estate license and work as a travel agent.

After retirement, Tom served as president of Mars Electronics for several years before he and Lynn returned “home” to northeast Florida, where they had enjoyed three Navy tours. They quickly set out to continue their careers of patriotic and community service, Lynn as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem and member of the Clay County Republican Women and P.E.O. Sisterhood, Tom with the Museum of Science and History, Rotary Club of West Jacksonville, Navy League, Association of Naval Aviation, and “Golden Eagles” naval aviation heritage organization. Throughout their post-Navy years, Tom and Lynn were ardent and active promoters of a strong national defense, founded in the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Lynn and Tom were preceded in death by their parents and Tom’s brother, Malcolm Yonge Watson. They are survived by their offspring, Thomas C. Watson III (Leslie), Valerie Lynn Watson and Pamela Palajac; grandson Thomas C. Watson IV; and Tom’s siblings, John “Jack” Watson (Janet) and Lucie Watson Wade.

Please contact the family for service date and time. In lieu of flowers, Tom and Lynn ask that you attend church, love your family and actively do your part to keep America great.